Mission&Ops - Mission Manager

Introduction

At Orbital Paradigm, we design, develop, manufacture, and operate reusable orbital logistics systems. Our spacecraft perform multiple orbital mission profiles and return safely to Earth through hypersonic atmospheric reentry and landing with pinpoint accuracy for rapid refurbishment and reuse.

Role Description

Orbital Paradigm is looking for a Mission Manager to coordinate the end-to-end delivery of orbital missions, from customer payload integration to vehicle integration with the launcher and launch campaign execution.

The role covers mission planning, customer interface management, payload accommodation, launcher coordination, integration readiness, space qualification activities, and cross-functional mission execution.

This is a mid-level individual contributor role. The Mission Manager will drive mission activities to clear outcomes while working closely with engineering, operations, quality, external customers, and launch service providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate customer payload integration onto Orbital Paradigm vehicles.
• Coordinate vehicle integration activities with launch service providers.
• Manage mission planning from payload definition to launch readiness.
• Act as primary operational interface for customers during mission preparation.
• Track mission requirements, interfaces, risks, actions, and deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution across engineering, operations, quality, and external partners.
• Support space qualification activities related to payload and mission readiness.
• Support launch campaign preparation, execution, and post-campaign follow-up.
• Maintain clear mission documentation and status reporting.

Required Qualifications

• 2–5 years of relevant experience in aerospace, mission management, systems engineering, launch services, or payload integration.
• Degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience coordinating technical activities across engineering teams and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of spacecraft, payload, or launcher integration processes.
• Demonstrated experience in space qualification and launch campaign activities.
• Ability to manage requirements, interfaces, risks, actions, and technical documentation.
• Experience supporting mission planning, integration milestones, or readiness reviews.
• Strong customer-facing communication in technical environments.
• Full proficiency in English, written and spoken.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards such as ECSS, NASA, or MIL.
• Basic proficiency with one or more programming languages such as Python and MATLAB.
• Experience in a startup or small-company environment with fast design iterations.
• Experience with launch service provider coordination.
• Experience with payload accommodation or mission interface control.
• Familiarity with spacecraft operations or mission assurance processes.
• Good proficiency in Spanish.

What We Value

• Excellence in technical work, execution, and professional conduct
• Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to drive activities to clear outcomes through accountability, proactivity, and resourcefulness
• Clear, efficient, direct, and constructive communication
• Team-first attitude with low ego and strong cross-functional collaboration

What We Offer

• Location: Madrid, Spain (office-first)
• Flexible hybrid work (2 days/week from home + 2 fully remote weeks/year)
• 30 vacation days (23 flexible, +7 during holidays).
• Salary depending on experience and profile
• Relocation package depending on seniority and profile
• Flexible compensation (meal vouchers, health insurance, public transport)
• Company shares plan